MLB Power Rankings: April 2016

Disclaimer: We based these rankings on best strength to win the World Series. Therefore some teams that have an easier division to play in, with the least path of resistance to the postseason overall may be ranked a lot higher than a club who is equally talented, yet may play in a juggernaut of a division.

Yesterday won’t change much for the rankings. Although it kicked off interleague with the Royals beating the Mets 4 – 3, and starts the Junior Circuit looking to win the AL vs NL competition for a 13th straight year.

Pittsburgh also beat the Cardinals. I have them both ending the year win 91 victories, but these squad’s really intrigue me.

There are a multitude of reasons why I have picked the Cubs as the #1 team. I explain them in the writeup.

Each Monday, we will post a new set of power rankings and go over the week that was.

(1) Chicago Cubs: This team is loaded with firepower. The best part about the upcoming year is the depth in which to pull of more trades. I feel Theo Epstein is going to strengthen the Starting Pitching and late inning relief all season.

This franchise also has the wherewithal to reel in one of the three following aces – who are going to be hard pressed in playing on a contender in Sonny Gray, Jose Fernandez or Chris Sale.

I believe in Joe Maddon. I trust in Jon Lester. Despite thinking Jake Arrieta will regress a little, he should still have a good enough year to retain ace status.

(2) KC Royals: Keep hating on these guys at your own peril. They friggin win every year, and I have personally made a lot of money on them over the last 3 years. Kansas City has a pedigree that elevates their own talent. The division is better yes, but the rest of them still have to hunt down the reigning champs.

(3) NY Mets: Tough opening series with the Royals. Having to witness yet another ceremony for the rings tomorrow would piss me off. New York has so much pitching that they could be victorious every single day with their rotation.

(4) Houston Astros: Carlos Correa is the real deal. Jose Altuve is the quietest superstar there is (425 base hits in the last 2 seasons alone). Power from everywhere, and now pitching with thunder in the Bullpen. Don’t like the Luke Gregerson Closer nod over Ken Giles. This is early though.

David Price and Craig Kimbrel are worth a bout a half-dozen win improvement already. That AL East will beat each other up though, that is why they are outside the top 10 currently.

(13) Los Angeles Dodgers: So many guys in the “meat wagon” for various ailments scares me. We have said since the new management took over that they kept signing injury plagued players, and now it is hurting them.

Funny thing is, they also have guys like Scott Kazmir and Chase Utley on the Opening Day Roster, with both having a history of DL stints too.

(14) NY Yankees: Shrugging off that they can get by without Aroldis Chapman for the 1st 30 Games is all fine, but they dealt away Left handed reliever Justin Wilson in the winter, who was very solid for them out of the pen.

(15) Cleveland Indians: Hold on in April fellas. Michael Brantley is close to coming back. There may not be a more underrated player in the game right now. Tribe has good pitching but a lot of power centric hitters, who are whiff kings, low batting average guys.

(19) Baltimore Orioles: Hyun-Soo Kim refused his Minor League assignment. Hopefully the club will give him a legitimate shot. Love the lineup. Starting Pitching is suspect. Get ready for plenty of 7 – 6 games.

(20) Chicago White Sox: Just happy to not have heard that much about Adam LaRoche now that the season has started. This club will have a tough time keying enough base hits when they need them. Chris Sale needs to avoid his slow start in April (that eventually ends with a dead arm – DL Stint)

(21) Tampa Bay Rays: just hit the search engine on this site to see my views on this club. I am not buying they are light years ahead of everyone with their rotation.

Also with the injury to Brad Boxberger, this club is a lot weaker in 2016 – than they were in 2015. Have sacrificed a lot of Batting Average guys for potential power in the daily lineup

(22) Minnesota Twins: Two young rookies could see this team vault into a better position soon with Byron Buxton and Byung Ho Park. Just hate their Pitching Staff as always.

(23) Los Angeles Angels: Jered Weaver can’t hit 85 MPH. C.J. Wilson hurt is horrible for this franchise. Both make over $20 MIL this season. have become untradeable – so it is the diminishing law of returns. 75 wins here we come.

(24) Oakland A’s: Will Billy Beane actually hold onto Sonny Gray for the duration the year? Maybe…But his recent trend is not to pay any ALL – Star guys even in Arbitration. No way Gray is in Oakland beyond 2017. Hopefully the veterans play well enough to keep up trade value.

(25) Colorado Rockies: Going to the philosophy that had them win in 2007. Strong Bullpen and good offense. This club has to see an improvement with the rotation before they can even shake 90 losses this season.

(26) SD Padres: Starting Pitching is the only factor to save this club from the 100 loss plateau.

(27) Philadelphia Phillies: They are ahead of all of these bottom 6 for a quicker rebuild. 2016 could be good without them winning that many games at all.

(28) Atlanta Braves: Keep losing and plan for 2017 – 2019.

(29) Cincinnati Reds: Opening Day should have the best cheers.

(30) Milwaukee Brewers: Ryan Braun and Jonathan Lucroy need to up their trade value. They are handing out free tickets on car windshields in parking lots? Really? They still drew 2.5 Million fans last year in a horrendous campaign. Fanbase is solid.

New Milwaukee GM David Stearns has his hands full trying to compete in the NL Central for the next several seasons. Really the club should be starting a full scale rebuild that includes trading Ryan Braun. Jonathan Lucroy and potentially Wily Peralta. With dealing with the Cubs, Cards and Bucs all in the NL Central, expect a 100 loss season coming forth for the club.

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com and their other partners.***

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About hunterstokes21

I Played NCAA Baseball at Liberty University in the 90's with Sid Bream's kid Sheldon. Once Hit a Home Run by hitting a hot air balloon that was coming over 2nd base (It was agreed that if a balloon was hit before game by the umpires and coaches - even though they were setting up in LF/CF Bleachers). I believe in the "Church Of Baseball". Come in for worship anytime.

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